Adjustable microscope eyepiece mounting



' April 13, 1948. I f H. N. OTTk 2,439,526

A* I v' ADJUSTABLE MICROSCOPE EYEPIECE MOUNTING Filed April 14, 1944 INV EN TOR.

Patented Apr. 13, 1948 OFFICE N 2,439,526 l l ADJUSTABLE MronoscorliEYEPIECE MOUN TING

Harvey N. Ott, Buffalo, N. Y. l Application April 14, 1944, serial No.531,001

This invention relates to improvements in optical instruments, and moreparticularly to the optical systems thereof.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an optical instrumentwith an ocular mounting of improved construction. Another object is toprovide an ocular or eyepiece mounting of improved construction whichextends at `a distance from the optical axis of the objective so that itis more readily accessible tothe user. Another object is to provide animproved ocular mounting by means of which the ocular may be moved intovarious angular relations to the vertical without requiring anyadjustments other than shifting the ocular tube bodily into the desiredangular position without effecting the eld of View. A further object isto provide an improved microscope construction in whichv the ocular ismounted to swing about the axis of the objective so as to be accessiblefrom all positions about the microscope. Another object is to provide anadjustable reflector of improved construction.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and claims.

I have illustrated my invention as applied to a microscope 'but it isnot intended to limit this invention 'for use with microscopes, since itis obvious that the same maybe used with other optical instrumentshaving an eyepiece and an objective.

In the accompanying drawings:

2 Claims. (CL88-39) l Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly insectionjof a microscope having improvements embodying this inventionapplied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a portion of the eyepieceand reflector shown in Fig. .1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view thereof on line 3 3,

Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view showing a reflector of modified construction forreflecting light rays from the objective to the eyepiece. l

The improvements embodying this vinvention maybe mounted on a microscopearm I of any usual or suitable type, that shown being partly enclosed inan extension 8 ofthe main frame of the microscope, and the arm 'I is, ofcourse, adjustable vertically by means of ne` and coarse adjustments(not shown).v 9 represents the objectives which may` be mounted on arotatable support I Il rotatable about a screw or other pivot I I whichextends into a stationary objective support I2 secured on the arm 'I ofthe microscope.

. Y 2 i It will, ofcourse, be obvious that the microscope may have onlya single objective, if desired. The :Fixed objective support I2 in theparticular een struction shown is secured to the arm 'I of themicroscope by means of a flanged or shouldered sleeve I5 having one endthereof threaded into a correspondingly threaded hole of the arm 1.

Irl this microscope, the eyepiece is offset with reference to theobjective sdthat the user of the microscope need not reach over themicroscope to any material extent in order to look through the eyepiece.The eyepiece I'I is mounted on a combined eyepiece `and reflectorsupport I8, the reflectors being arranged in the support to direct thelight from the objective into the eye. This support I8 may be mounted onthe arm 'I of the microscope in any suitable or desired manner, and inthe construction illustrated, a anged or shouldered sleeve I9 isprovided for this purpose having a ange at its lower end which extendsinto the larger portion of a hole in thel arm l. The upper end of thissleeve has a `threaded engagement in a hole in the` eyepiece support I8, and if desired, a set screw 20 may engage the threaded part of thesleeve I9 to securely hold the same in place in the eyepiece support I8.

The light from the objective passes upwardly through the sleeves I5 andI9l, into the eyepiece support I8 and is reflected '1n any suitablemanner, for example, by means vof a prism 22 mounted in any suitablemanner on a plate 23 which is secured across an open end of a tubular orcylin drical portion 24 of the eyepiece tube support I8. The prism 22shown is a '45 degree prism, and consequently, reflects light at a rightangle to the axis of the objective through the hollow tubular part 24which extends laterally from the objective. The light reflected from theprism 22 passes to this tubular part to another reflector 25 whichreflects the light into the eyepiece I'I. This second reilector may, ofcourse, be xed with relation to the eyepiece and support I 8 if theeyepiece is fixed on the support I8. Preferably, however, I provide aswinging or pivoted eyepiece which may be moved intov a verticalposition or at various inclinations tothe vertical, as will behereinafter described.

The connection between the `eyepiece support I8 and the arm4 Irof themicroscope may, by means of the construction shown, be such as to permitthe eyepiece to swing about the` axis of the objective, this being doneby constructing the flanged sleeve I9 so as to have a pivotal bearing inthe arm 1. Consequently, 4when such pivotal arrangement is provided, theeyepiece sup` port I8 may swing completely around the optical axis ofthe objective, so that the object or slide may be seen from any part ofthe microscope, the broken lines I8, for example, showing the eyepiecesupport in a position approximately 180 degrees from the full lineposition in Fig. l.

In order to mount the eyepiece I1 so that it may be arranged in variousangular relations to the leyepiece support I3, for example, in andbetween the two extreme positions shown in Fig. 1, in which the eyepieceis shown in an inclined position in full lines and in an uprightposition in broken lines, I have shown an improyed and V simpliedconstruction for swinging the eyepiece l1 and at the same time swingingthe reilecting surface through half the angle' through which theeyepiece is swung. In the construction shown for this purpose, I haveprovided an eyepiece tube or support into which the eyepiece may bereadily inserted and from which it; maybe removed to, be replaced byanother ,eyepiece,v This eyepiece, tube has downwardly extending legs orprojections 3l at opposite sides thereof, see particularly Figs. 2 and3, and thesey projections may be pivoted in any suitablel manner on thesupport la. This support is recessed or has `a suitably formed cavitytherein to receiye the lower portion of the eyepiece tube, as clearly,shown Yin Figs. Vl and 2, and has side Walls .32 which partly closevthe sides of the recess .or cavity of the eyepiece support. The legs, 3l,of ,the eyepiece tube .3D may he pivoted on the side-Walls ,3.2, forexample, by means Yof screws 3.3. The screws shown have their threadedportions engaging in holes imparts of the legs 3I of increased thicknessand have ktheir heads acting as pivots in suitably formed holes intheside walls v32 of the .eyepiece support.

The recessed or hollowed-out portion of the support .IIB through .whichthe eyepiece extends may be enclosedin any suitable or usual manner in4any positions .of theeyepiece about its pivot 33, and ,for this,purposethe parts 34 and 35 of the eyepiece support I@ are preferablyprovided withcylindrical .outer surfaces and a guard 3S is secured tothe .eyepiece tube 3l) in any suitable manner, for example, by Ymeansvof screws ,371. This guard .cylindrical portionsSB and 39 which titclosely along thev .outer surfaces of the parts .3.4 and. .3,5 of the'eyepiece und reflector support, ond the. guard also .has flat end Walls.40 littins closely about .the sido Walls 3.2 ofthe support. so that.the .dust .and .other foreign materials are excluded from .thehollowed-out portions ofthe cycpiecesupportl.. Y

The reflecting surface 25 may be `arranged on any suitable reflector,support 42 which is pivotally mounted to swing the reflecting surfaceinto correct relation to the eyepiece, and in the constructionillustrated, the reflector support 42 is pivotallymounted .on pivot rodor piu Vlt which also supported ou th projecting .logs 3l vof theeyepiece `shell 30,. This pivot pinis located at a .distance .fromv thepivotal .mounting 33 of the eyepiece. Consequently, vthe reflectorsupport 42 will be moved back .andlforth on an arcabout .the pivotalmounting 33 when the eyepiece is swung into yvarious positions, and conalso swine about tho pivot .pin-orrod-All..

In order to hold .the Yreflecting surface 25 in correctrelation tto `theeyepiece Iand to `cause the same to swing .to an .angle equal toene-halfof the .angle through which .the eyepiece swings, I lprovide thereflectorsupportAZ .with la cam face .45 on 1the uuderrisoo @thereofwhich is ,formed to leo 4 contact with the end of a post or screw 46mounted in fixed relation to the eyepiece support I8, and a spring 41holds the reflector support 42 at all times in contact with the post orscrew 45. This spring, as in the construction shown in Fig. l, mayextend into a hole or recess in the eyepiece support I8. The cam face 45must, of course, be so designed that during the movement of the eyepieceabout its pivot 33, the post in cooperation with the `cam face. .45.willhold the reector support 42 at all times in such positions that thereflecting surface 25 will correctly reflect lightv `from the reflector22 into the eyepiece I'I.

A ny suitable or desired type of reflector may be mounted on thereflector support 42. Prism vreflectors, such as the prism 22 are, ofcourse,

Very satisfactory, providing the light rays enter and leave the prism atright angles to the sides of the two non-reflecting sides of the prism,so that no refraction results, but since the reflecting surface 2.5 mustbe .swung about a pivot, a prism csh obviously not be uscd- I haya]hows-yor, dcvised a reflector, which is ,adjllstablcllo diffs ontangular relations to the path Vor light. without producing refraction,namely. by providing thc same with a hat reliccting ,surface ono withcurved surface, thccontcr of curvoturc which lies in the axis aboutwhich the reflector isswuue, the nent entering and leoylng .thorclloctor body through thc curi/cd `surface on .radial lines; so that nochanac of direction of the light relis .duc to refraction results Suchreflector body of scm-cylindrical or horuisphcrlcalffor flat foce of thcrcllcctorbooy passing through the conter of curyaturcaoo servirle es...s roilocior In the particular f oustlulct.ich 1 to 3, I have provided areflecting body or ,lchS 59 which `is substantially .ci hemlshhsrlcallorm except that the. opposite sides thereof arc proferably out oli,,since they serve no purpose hemisphcrlcol reflector has .a plop.lciloclllls surface extending through ythc conter .of thc hemisphericalbody. When a reflector body oi this type is used, va. planoconcaye lens52 Ais hernploycd which is preferably arranged. .thc byline drical ortubular part 24 of the eyepic? .5V-P99179, and through which tho lightfrom thc rcflctf 0f reflecting prism 2.2 posses into. the homisphcrlcalreflecting leus, and' a similar planocohcoy-.e leus 53 is providco atthe, cycpicccythat .shown yb s scoured ou thc shell or cosine 3,0 of the.cysnioco The concave surfaces of these two lenses f ae the sphericalreflecting buoy 5l! and are prclorebly of a curvature co contri@ withthe axis-of curvature of the hcrpisphorical roflsctius body lill.. .Il csemi-cylindrical rcilsctor booyis usci?, tho concave laces-.of .tholcrlscs .5.2 and 53 Wplllftuf Course, 'be of scmi-ylillgllqul form, withtheir curved faces concentric with the axis of curvature Lof thesemi-cylindrical body, which axis would, of course, lie in the plane ofthe flat reflecting surfacc- A reflecting leus-oi :this type,.conscsusutlm has all ci thc odyontascsof @prism rclicctoeaud theadditional advantagethat itmay .beadjusted so -that light Vmay bereflected .trom the planoreecting surface of this lens at any desiredangle.

With a hemispherical'or semi-cylindrical re,- ector and planoconcavelenses152 Yand h3, it is desirable that these lenses -be maintained Aatsub.- stantially uniform distances from the 'hemlspherical reflectorduring theadjustrnentslof rthe eyepiece aboutits horizontal pivotalmounting. The lens 5 3 will during the swinging ofltfne eyepiece aboutits pivot 33 remain at approximately the same distance from thereflector 50, but this reflector will move Ito a certain extent towardand from the reilecting prism 22. I, therefore, preferably provide meansfor moving the lens 52 when the reflector 50 is moved. These means maybe of any suitable or desired construction, and as illustrated by way ofexample, I mount the lens 52 on a slide 55 suitably mounted in the part24 of the eyepiece support I8. For this purpose, the slide 55 may be ofsubstantially cylindrical form to i-lt Within an integral cylindricalportion of the eyepiece support I8 and the lens 52 is suitably mountedin this slide. The slide may have one or more attened portions 56, Fig.`

2, at opposite sides thereof, to hold the slide against turning and theslide also has a pair of arms 5'I extending from the body portion of theslide toward the pivot pin or rod 43. The outer ends of these arms areprovided with upright slots 58 through which the pivot pin or rod 43extends. Consequently, during the swinging of the eyepiece I7 about itspivot 33, the pivot rod or pin 43 will cause the slide 55 to move backand forth so that the lens 52 will be maintained in approximatelyuniformly spaced relation to the hemispherical reflector 50.

In l'ig. 4,1 have shown a first surface reflector 60 which is mounted ona. support 6I similar to the support 42 shown'in Figs. 1 to 3, andhaving a suitable cam face 62. 'I'he Vreiiector support may besubstituted for the support 42 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and may be pivotedon the pin or rod 43 and has an apertured lug 63 to which the spring 41may be attached. The cam surface 62 is formed so that the reilector willbe swung at an angle equal to half of the angle through which theeyepiece I1 is swung about its pivot 33. When the reector shown in Fig.4 is employed, the planoconcave lenses 52 and 53 may be omitted, as wellas the slide 55.

By means of the construction shown, a plurality of adjustments of theeyepiece relatively to the objective are made possible. As has beenexplained, the eyepiece and its support I8 may swing about the flangedsleeve I9 and about the optical axis of the objective 9 into variouspositions about the microscope so that the objects can be seen from anydesired position about the microscope. If this adjustment of theeyepiece about the optical axis of the objective is not required, theeyepiece support I8 may be secured on the arm 1 of the microscope or maybe formed integral therewith.

The eyepiece may be swung at various inclinations to the vertical orinto a vertical position, as has been described, thereby eliminating theneed for an inclination joint of the kind in which the entire microscopebody and stage swing to various inclinations about a base. If theseadjustments of the eyepiece are not required, it will be obvious thatthe construction may be somewhat simplied by mounting the eyepiece in axed position on the eyepiece support I Il, in which case, the reflector5I) or the reiiector 60 may also be mounted in fixed relation to thesupport I8,

I claim as my invention:

1. In an optical instrument having an eyepiece tube pivotally mounted onan eyepiece support at a. side of the optical axis of the objective toswing to diierent positions about an axis and receiving light from theobjective through the medium of reflectors, that improvement whichincludes pivoting one of the reectors on an extension of the eyepiecetube in spaced relation to the pivotal axis about which said eyepiecetube swings, a cam arranged in xed relation to said reector, and astationary part on said eyepiece support with which said cam cooperatesto movesaid reilector when said eyepiece is moved to reilect light fromthe other reflector into said eyepiece.

2. An optical instrument according to claim l, and including a springwhich urges said cam into engagement with said stationary part.

HARVEY N. OTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 986,642 Moller Mar. 14, 19111,310,776 Akeley July 22, 1919 1,539,579 Kucharski May 26, 19251,602,251 Iuidor Oct. 5, 1926 1,837,993 Patterson Dec. 22, 19311,966,845 Carbonara Julyl 17, 1934 2,014,874 Bauersfeld Sept. 17, 19252,132,122 Ott Oct. 4, 1938 2,135,049 Harvey Nov. 1, 1938 2,138,665 OttNov. 29, 1938 2,206,180 Gerstenberger et al.' July 2, 1940 2,214,367Gallasch Sept. 10, 1940 2,235,743 Gagliardi Mar. 18, 1941 2,317,988Forssberg May 4, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Austria Mar.25, 1921

